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Lexapro Start Up - Side Effects

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Posted 10/5/2016 10:24 AM (GMT 0)
Going on dose three now, having terrible insomnia, night sweats, headaches, ears ringing.. shaking etc.

Taking in the morning around 7am. Are these all normal??? I remember the insomnia being bad.

I'm also nauteous and not hungry.
Posted 10/5/2016 12:15 PM (GMT 0)
I took dose 3 of Sertraline (generic Zoloft) last night and it sounds like we have some of the same side effects. Some times I'm jittery and shaky, other times I feel the anxiety coming back, sleep has been a mess. Eating is hard due to nausea. I'm taking Ativan as needed but don't want to take too much. I've only been taking .25 mg once during the day. I plan on trying some before bed tonight.

That being said, it is normal to have side effects when you start an SSRI. If you search the forum, there are lots of conversations from years past about side effects and how people have dealt with them. Use the resources page for ideas. It is hard, it's not enjoyable at all but they do lessen and go away. And then you will feel much better.

If your side effects are not bearable, call your doctor. There may be things he/she can suggest.

Good luck!
Posted 10/5/2016 3:03 PM (GMT 0)
Yankee,

Saraj has advised you well. Some start up effects can be expected, but are temporary.

Use your coping skills to the best of your ability to get you through the initial start up phase.

I am sorry you are not feeling well...and hope you can dig deep and hang in there for the benefits that are to come!

Try some Boost or Ensure meal replacement shakes to help keep you nourished...even though you don't feel like eating much at this time. These are easy to sip on, and will keep you from feeling so nauseous.

We are here to cheer you on.:)

S.C.
Posted 10/5/2016 5:12 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you all, this is truly a battle for me with this clinical depression. I have a nervous breakdown three days ago and I'm trying to climb out of this pit for my daughter.
Posted 10/5/2016 5:32 PM (GMT 0)
I am so sorry Yankee,

I hope that you are working closely with your doctor and therapist to get the well rounded help you need to start healing.

Make good use of our Resources here...they are valuable help!

...and keep reaching out for support here from your HW family...we are pulling for you.

Great job on pulling out the 'mamma bear' strength ..to be the best mother and person you can be. You can do this!

S.C
Posted 10/5/2016 9:45 PM (GMT 0)
Sorry to hear it's so hard right now, Yankee. The side effects don't last too long. Great advice above. Just keep plugging away. Things will get better.
Posted 10/5/2016 9:55 PM (GMT 0)

Scaredy Cat said...
I am so sorry Yankee,

I hope that you are working closely with your doctor and therapist to get the well rounded help you need to start healing.

Make good use of our Resources here...they are valuable help!

...and keep reaching out for support here from your HW family...we are pulling for you.

Great job on pulling out the 'mamma bear' strength ..to be the best mother and person you can be. You can do this!

S.C

Thank you everyone.

Scaredy I'm actually a "Papa Bear". I just feel like crying all day. Bizarre emotions I'm having.

I have intrusive throughts that won't leave my mind about my daughter being harmed, or someone harming her or I will (not that I would in my life) that I'm battling to get rid of. Clinical Depression is very real.
Posted 10/5/2016 10:32 PM (GMT 0)
Ooops....sorry...I shouldn't have assumed!

Do take time to download those 'Therapy Worksheets' from the Resources...they will disarm the intrusive thoughts if you practice the exercises daily.

Okay Papa Bear...rock this out!!

High fives,

S.C.
Posted 10/5/2016 11:06 PM (GMT 0)
Start up anxiety and general "weirdness" is common with SSRIs, of which Lexapro is one. I had a horrible time with them, even with a low initial dose. However, what I realized was that my serotonin was horribly low and had been for years. Although a bit of a discomfort, once my mind and body got used to the med, I was in a much better place.

It just takes time; hang in there! :)
Posted 10/6/2016 12:12 AM (GMT 0)
take zoloft in morning . it will cause less issues esp insomnia
Posted 10/6/2016 1:22 AM (GMT 0)
Hang in there Yankee. Just wanted to send you strength! And I would say don't be afraid to talk to your doc, even if you work with him/her. They'll keep everything confidential.
Posted 10/6/2016 7:49 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Yankee

Sorry to hear you are having a tough time at the moment.

It does seem to be the norm for things to get worse before they get better when changing or increasing/decreasing a dosage of a medication so stick with it.

Night Sweats are very bothersome I have stopped a few medications in the past to that particular side effect lingering and not improving so if things don't improve you need to go back and see your doctor.

Keep us posted

Hibee
Posted 10/6/2016 1:43 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you everyone, seems things are lifting a bit now. Still have nausea a bit among some emotional roller coaster feelings.
Posted 10/6/2016 6:36 PM (GMT 0)
Glad things are a little better for you. Keep the positives going!
Posted 10/6/2016 9:55 PM (GMT 0)
Should I up to 10MG now?
Posted 10/6/2016 10:49 PM (GMT 0)
What did your doctor recommend?

My doctor told me I could up after a week or sooner if I felt up to it. I plan on upping mine tonight just so I can get to a therapeutic level sooner. It will increase the startup side effects, which I'm not excited about, but I'm handling them better than last time.
Posted 10/7/2016 2:18 AM (GMT 0)
This is definitely a question for your doctor...

...especially since you are struggling with the intrusive thoughts currently.

Give him/her a call tomorrow.

S.C.
Posted 10/7/2016 9:45 AM (GMT 0)
Update 10/7

I've had racing thoughts the last three days.. like I can't turn my brain off.

Should I try splitting the .5 lexapro morning and night?
Posted 10/7/2016 3:12 PM (GMT 0)
You really shouldn't make any changes without calling your doctor.

Until you can get a hold of him/her, use the Therapy Worksheets...the STOP exercise and Thought Challenging pages are great for racing/intrusive thoughts.

www.get.gg/freedownloads2.htm

S.C.
Posted 10/7/2016 3:59 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, call your doc Yankee! They will be able to give you advice specific to your situation! Hugs to you!
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